Technology takeover: jobs that might not exist soon

By Leah Cresswell, May 13, 2018

As kids, we’re taught to dream big, that nothing is unattainable to us, and we can be whatever we want. Whether it was a doctor or a pilot, our dream jobs have changed drastically even in the last decade or so and will continue to change over the next 10 to 20 years. The careers we thought we were perfect for have been filling our spots with replacement robots that are capable of, well, a lot.

The world has been taken over by technology and yes, robots. That’s right, you read that correctly, robots. Who would have imagined that even 30 years ago robots would be entering the job market today? We all probably assumed that wouldn’t happen until at least the year 3000. But the time has come where these artificially intelligent bots are able to perform even the most intricate tasks effectively and efficiently, making them sometimes more productive than humans.

Think about it, robots do not get tired, they do not need breaks, and they do not need to be paid. Humans are only legally allowed to work a certain amount of hours in a day before they must go home, but robots can work all day without getting tired. Also, people have to take breaks to rest and eat, but the only breaks a robot might need is for a quick part change. Lastly, robots do not need a salary, or even to get paid at all, which means they also won’t demand a pay raise for doing more work. Yes, technology can get expensive, but it really is only a one-time fee and then maybe a few smaller ones in case a bot needs to be fixed. The machines will pay for themselves in just a few years.

It really does make sense. Machines are a great replacement for humans. They can produce quality products and maintain better results. There is one thing missing though: the personal touch. Robots cannot express human emotion. This means that careers such as psychiatrists and social workers should be safe because a robot will probably never be able to form an emotional bond. Jobs that could be at risk, however, are ones that require long hours and operating machinery.

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Though this could be a scary thought, imagine a world where a robot invasion is not such a bad thing. Let’s talk about the benefits for a minute. First off, products will be manufactured quicker and will be cheaper for consumer purchasing. Second, we won’t have to work in fields that are extremely dangerous and put us at risk. Need we add that if robots take over all the jobs, we can finally take that vacation we’ve been planning?

Realistically, a workforce without humans is impossible anyway. Humans will still need to create the necessary technology, run the machines from a distance, and take over in case of error. In the end, robots may be helping to make life easier for us, but they can never completely replace people, so don’t worry too much.